Poland has become one of the most popular holiday and New Year’s destinations among Europeans this year. According to data from Travel and Tour World and Kiwi.com, the number of travel bookings to our country during the Christmas and New Year period has increased by more than 55 percent compared to 2024. Kraków and Warsaw are particularly popular, attracting tourists with their festive atmosphere, competitive prices and good flight connectivity.

The growing popularity of Poland as a winter destination is no coincidence. Tourism industry experts point to a combination of several factors that consistently enhance the country’s appeal. These include deeply rooted Christmas traditions, the characteristic atmosphere of cities and affordable prices, which are increasingly important amid rising travel costs across Europe. Poland attracts both fans of Christmas markets and those seeking authentic experiences. An important part of the offering is also the cuisine, based on local recipes and traditions. For many foreign visitors, pierogi, beetroot soup with mushroom dumplings (barszcz z uszkami), or poppy seed cake (makowiec) become an opportunity to discover and appreciate Polish culinary traditions associated with the holidays.

Clear increase in interest from abroad

Data from the Kiwi.com platform shows that during the Christmas and New Year period, more tourists will visit Poland, including from Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy and Romania. Particularly dynamic growth was recorded among travellers from Romania – compared to the previous year, the number of bookings to Polish cities in that country has tripled.

A key factor remains the availability of direct flight connections. Flights from Bucharest operate to Gdańsk, Warsaw, Wrocław and Kraków, with additional flights to Kraków and Warsaw provided by other airlines. Poland is also increasingly chosen by tourists from Sweden, Germany, Greece, France, Denmark and Czechia with noticeable growth also visible among travelers from Portugal, the Netherlands and Lithuania.

Kraków and Warsaw in the spotlight

In the Travel and Tour World report, Kraków and Warsaw occupy a special place. The authors of the ranking emphasise that both cities effectively attract foreign tourists, especially in the winter season, offering attractive flight prices and an extensive range of Christmas events.

TTW experts pay particular attention to Kraków, which stands out for its unique atmosphere and is regarded as one of the most atmospheric Christmas cities in Europe. Warsaw, on the other hand, attracts visitors with a modern approach to its holiday offerings, combining tradition with urban dynamism.

Affordable prices and changing travel habits

Poland remains competitive in terms of travel costs. The average price of a flight to our country during the Christmas and New Year period this year was 123 euros, which is 10 euros less than the previous year. The largest discounts, reaching 23 percent, applied to long-haul connections.

Data from Kiwi.com also indicate that tourists are increasingly planning their trips in advance, booking tickets on average 54 days before travel. At the same time, stays in Poland are shorter, averaging six days – two days less than in 2024.

A winter destination with potential for the coming years

The dynamic increase in the number of tourists shows that Poland has a real chance of securing a permanent place in Europeans’ winter travel plans. More and more people are realising that holidays spent in Poland offer not only impressive illuminations and traditional flavours but also hospitality and an authentic city atmosphere.

According to experts, if the current trend continues, Poland could effectively compete in the coming years with popular winter destinations such as Austria or Germany. For the hotel and gastronomy industries, this means very good prospects and an impetus for further development of winter offerings.